Five things to watch: Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks (Week 3)

Six years ago, the Seahawks and Packers faced off in front of “Monday Night Football’s” national television audience on a snowy winter night at Qwest Field. It was Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre against his former backup, Matt Hasselbeck, who had become a star in Seattle.

This Monday, as the teams meet again on ESPN, could have been close to a repeat of history. This spring, back before the NFL draft, it looked as though the matchup would again feature a Packers quarterback against his former backup — this time Aaron Rodgers and Matt Flynn.

But then came Russell Wilson.

You’ve heard the story. Selected in the third round of April’s draft, Wilson impressed Seattle head coach Pete Carroll enough to compete against Flynn and Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job during training camp. Flynn had been given a $10 million guaranteed contract during off-season free agency, but became an expensive backup once Wilson emerged from his flashy preseason as the team’s starter.

That’s the storyline ESPN will likely focus on when the Packers come to CenturyLink Field on Monday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN TV, 710 AM ESPN Seattle radio and 97.3 FM KIRO radio.

But since we in Seattle know all about Wilson and Flynn, let’s take a look at the other important things to watch.

Five things to watch: Packers at Seahawks

Photo: Otto Greule Jr. / Getty Images

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Remember this snowy game? It was the last time the Seahawks met the Packers for Monday Night Football, back on Nov. 27, 2006. Though the snow might throw you off, that game was in Seattle. The Seahawks won 34-24 and remained undefeated against the Packers on Monday nights (they also beat Green Bay on MNF in 1999). But since that 2006 game, the Seahawks have gone 0-3 against the Packers -- most recently a 48-10 drubbing in 2009. Now, on Monday, the Seahawks will again face Greey Bay in front of a national television audience as they try to establish themselves as a dangerous contender. Here are five things to watch for in the game. less

Remember this snowy game? It was the last time the Seahawks met the Packers for Monday Night Football, back on Nov. 27, 2006. Though the snow might throw you off, that game was in Seattle. The Seahawks won ... more

Photo: Otto Greule Jr. / Getty Images

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1. Keeping Aaron Rodgers in checkGames like this are exactly why the Seahawks drafted guys like Bruce Irvin and Chris Clemons. Seattle needs its pass-rushers to put serious pressure on Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (pictured) -- if they give him lots of time to find a receiver, the game's all but over. Meanwhile, the Seahawks secondary needs to focus on his eyes and cover his receivers closely. Green Bay's offense is famously potent. Rodgers averaged 295 yards per game and threw just six interceptions all last season, though he's been picked in both games so far this year. Though they beat Chicago last week, the Packers are still trying to bounce back from their first-week loss to San Francisco, when Rodgers passed for 303 yards and two TDs. If there's a time for Seattle's defense to assert itself as one of the league's best, Monday is it. less

1. Keeping Aaron Rodgers in checkGames like this are exactly why the Seahawks drafted guys like Bruce Irvin and Chris Clemons. Seattle needs its pass-rushers to put serious pressure on Packers QB Aaron ... more

Photo: Jeffrey Phelps / Associated Press

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2. Russell Wilson's passing gameFor as much attention as he's gotten for the past several months, rookie Seahawks QB Russell Wilson (pictured) hasn't really done that much through the air so far this season. Though he was flashy in the preseason, Wilson passed for a modest 150 yards against each Arizona and Dallas. It's not unexpected -- Seattle's offense largely revolves around the running game. But against a Packers offense that can put up a lot of points, Wilson may have to break out his arm more so the Seahawks can keep up. Reporters asked him this past week whether he is even capable of a 300-yard passing game yet; Wilson, ever confident, said of course. But will he? less

2. Russell Wilson's passing gameFor as much attention as he's gotten for the past several months, rookie Seahawks QB Russell Wilson (pictured) hasn't really done that much through the air so far this season. ... more

Photo: Kevin P. Casey / Associated Press

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3. Golden Tate and the receiving corpsMeanwhile, if Russell Wilson is going to have success through the air, he's going to need his receivers to bring their 'A' game Monday. Seahawks fans watched in agony as several receivers dropped passes during Seattle's last-minute drive two weeks ago at Arizona, when Wilson threw a half-dozen incompletions toward the end zone. The receivers were better last week against the Cowboys -- Golden Tate (pictured) even morphed into a linebacker for that huge block on Dallas' Sean Lee. Now that it's Week 3, it's time for the receivers to be ready. Watch for big games from WRs Sidney Rice, Braylon Edwards, Tate or tight ends Zach Miller and Anthony McCoy. less

3. Golden Tate and the receiving corpsMeanwhile, if Russell Wilson is going to have success through the air, he's going to need his receivers to bring their 'A' game Monday. Seahawks fans watched in agony as ... more

Photo: John Froschauer / Associated Press

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4. Containing linebacker Clay MatthewsIf the Seahawks want some offense, they're going to have to keep Green Bay's Clay Matthews (pictured) in check. The star linebacker, who played at USC under Pete Carroll, already has 10 tackles and six sacks on the season. Seattle tackles Breno Giacomini and Russell Okung will have their hands full with Matthews as they try to keep him away from QB Russell Wilson or whoever's carrying the ball. Containing the three-time Pro Bowler will be key for the Seahawks on Monday. less

4. Containing linebacker Clay MatthewsIf the Seahawks want some offense, they're going to have to keep Green Bay's Clay Matthews (pictured) in check. The star linebacker, who played at USC under Pete ... more

Photo: Mike Roemer / Associated Press

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5. Marshawn Lynch and the ground attackIf the Seahawks have an unfavorable matchup in its air game versus Green Bay's passing defense, they have an advantage versus the Packer's rush defense. The Packers are ranked 27th out of the 32 NFL teams in passing defense; meanwhile, the Seahawks are ranked seventh in running yards. Usually dependable, RB Marshawn Lynch (pictured at left) will likely make or break Monday's game for the Seahawks. He had 122 yards against the Cowboys last weekend -- if he can have another game like that, Seattle has a pretty good shot at knocking off the Packers. less

5. Marshawn Lynch and the ground attackIf the Seahawks have an unfavorable matchup in its air game versus Green Bay's passing defense, they have an advantage versus the Packer's rush defense. The Packers are ... more